The Herald lists the following potential candidates for these two open seats on the Democratic side.
Auditor:
Sen. Diana DiZoglio
Gov. Councilor Eileen Duff
Transit Advocate Chris Dempsey
LG:
Rep. Tami Gouveia
Brett Bero, entrepreneur
Handicapping these races will be difficult, Dempsey is well known within urban progressive circles, but a large unknown across the state. Duff and DiZoglio seem to be competing for the moderate lane and the North of Boston vote. Sen. Pacheco might also get in, he has represented the South Coast for some time and is a solid ally of organized labor. DiZoglio is more of a maverick willing to take on the former Speaker on term limits and sexual harassment. It’s unclear if she’s known outside of her district though. Could be a real crowded barnburner where the first to 25% wins.
The LG race sees a relatively recent progressive rep taking the plunge. I like Tami, I’m not sure this LG nomination is worth giving up her seat as Bakers popularity has rebounded and people are moving on from the pandemic. The Soldiers Home scandal could be an opening for a well known candidate like Healey to get in, otherwise you can’t beat a popular somebody with an unknown nobody. Downing is a good dude, but he seems like another Jay Gonzalez or Mark Roosevelt in waiting. Bero is a millionaire with startup experience, which to me, is a refreshing change, but is probably anathema to the left wing base of the party.
As Kate or Christopher would contend, working the delegates is just as important as big money or name recognition at this point. Will the state convention be dominated by leftists like last time or will electability minded voters have their say? Time will tell.
I also have it on good authority Galvin could get a challenger this year, although I admit he’s done a much better job this term and seems even harder to beat, but he’s also my dads age and could be the next retirement coming down the Pike. Stay tuned!
I was planning on writing a similar diary – you beat me to it. I’m a long ways from deciding on support, but a few thoughts:
AUDITOR – I feel I know fairly well and like both Duff and DiZoglio, who as incumbents in other offices are leaving those open. Another of Dempsey’s claims to fame is his role in the No Boston Olympics, which if that is what he pushes is a check in the negative column for me.
LG – OCPF lists a Scott Donohue as well, who originally filed with them for Governor. This is an office for which I prefer a known quantity. I mostly like Rep. Gouveia, but she came across as way too much of a lockdown ideologue when it came to the pandemic for my tastes.
The last I heard from Galvin is he is “likely” to seek re-election, but like you I’ve heard rumblings of a possible challenge. The Governor’s race may not come into focus until Charlie Baker and Maura Healey let the rest of us know their intentions. Obviously if Healey jumps in that leaves AG open. Professor Danielle Allen is I believe still exploring a run and I’m still hearing that Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz is considering.
Conventions are generally to the left of the electorate, but a good field operation a la Deval Patrick can also greatly influence their composition.
Good perspectives Christopher. While Dempsey was an ally in that fight for me, I happen to agree with you that it’s thin experience for this role. Especially compared to the two women running against him. DiZoglio as a former state rep and current stats senator has a lot of budget and oversight experience while Duff is one of the better governors councilors which is also an oversight role.
Apparently Baker has consistently lagged behind Polito in fundraising, I do wonder if he’s burned out after two terms. In which case, Healey is likelier to jump in if he decides to hang it up. There’s also a stronger possibility that he loses his own party’s nomination than he loses the general election, especially if Diehl runs against him. I am inclined at this stage to back DiZoglio for Auditor and it’s a tossup between Healey or Sonia Chang Diaz for Governor (if either runs).
Eileen Duff announced on Facebook today that she will not run for Auditor after all citing a family health issue. Her post did not say whether she is seeking re-election or stepping away entirely and commenting with that question didn’t feel appropriate at this time.
She has now renamed her FB page back to “Eileen Duff for Governor’s Council” so maybe she is seeking re-election to that post, which can pretty much be done on autopilot as opposed to the level of effort a statewide race would take.
That’s sad to here, regarding the health issue, hopefully she can stay at her present post. Her experience perspective would’ve been interesting in this race, although I guess this confirms I’m a lean DiZoglio for sure.